Reflections

May 28, 2024

Today's Reading: Acts 2:14a, 22-36

Daily Lectionary: Ecclesiastes 5:1-20; John 8:1-20

This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. (Acts 2:32–33)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. This sermon must have been absolutely terrifying to hear. Imagine sitting there, slowly having it dawn on you that the one that you delivered up to be killed was innocent. Not only was He innocent, but He was the very Son of God. And not only was He the very son of God who was innocent, but He is now risen from the dead. Uh oh. They are hearing Peter’s sermon and they are absolutely crushed by the weight of the Law. They are at fault. They have sinned, gravely, in thought, since they hated Jesus. They have sinned in word, for they accused Him of many evil things of which He was innocent. They have sinned in deed, for they delivered Him up to be crucified. What is in store for them now? 

When I was a kid, at my church growing up, we would do something a little different on good Friday. The pastor would have us read the account of the trial of Jesus. He would read the parts of Pilate, and the people would read the parts of the crowd. This was one of the hardest things to do. Because it really makes you think. You put yourself in the place of the crowd, and you connect something. Jesus was not crucified purely because a group of men two thousand years ago conspired against Him. Jesus was crucified because of my sins. Jesus had to die because I am a sinner. It sure hits different when you hear yourself call out, “We have no king but Caesar!” It crushes you to say, “Release for us Barabbas.” You want to hang your head and mutter the words, “Crucify him! Crucify him! Crucify him!” I sure knew what it was like to hear Peter’s sermon. 

But there is good news, beloved in the LORD. Jesus, risen from the dead, is not out for blood. He is not out with a vengeance to get even with those who caused His death. Jesus is eager to receive the broken in heart and the contrite in spirit. Jesus, out of love for God’s creation, took on the sin of the entire world (yes, even your sin) and died. He did so willingly. He did so lovingly. Jesus invites those repentant sinners to His table to receive His Body and His Blood for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus invites you to receive the forgiveness of sins, physically, with your lips, and with your ears! In the name of Jesus. Amen. 

God came to us then at Pentecost,  His Spirit new life revealing, That we might no more from Him be lost, All darkness for us dispelling. His flame will the mark of sin efface  And bring to us all His healing. (LSB 503:4)

-Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols . This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House. 

May 27, 2024

Today's Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8

Daily Lectionary: Ecclesiastes 4:1-16; John 7:32-53

And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” (Isaiah 6:5–7)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Isaiah was a smart one. He knew what was going on around him. You see, for sinners, the presence of God is absolutely bad news. What happens to sinners in the presence of God? Death. Blown up. Toast. Zapped. Whatever fun phrase you use to describe it, the point is this: God is perfection, and perfection will not abide chaos and sin in its presence for very long. And so Isaiah is afraid. Isaiah is not only reflecting that the people he dwells with are unclean and say unclean things, but he is aware that he himself is a sinner. He thinks he is done for.

And so what happens? Is Isaiah zapped by God? Absolutely not. What Isaiah experiences is one of the most awesome absolutions anyone has ever experienced. He confesses his sins (“I am a man of unclean lips”) and is then forgiven by God, which is the angel touching his lips with the coal. Notice that God does not say in response, “Yes, you are. Your lips are filthy” or “Yes, you are, and so you better get fixing it.” God simply directs one of his ministers (in this case, an angel) to absolve Isaiah so he can continue his work on behalf of the LORD. 

Believe it or not, you get the same thing. No, you don’t quite have an angel touching your lips with a flaming coal, but you do still have one of the LORD’s pastors ready and waiting to hear your confession and pronounce that your guilt is taken away and your sin is atoned for. In the Divine Service, you make the sign of the cross, remembering that you are a baptized child of God. Like Isaiah, you are given something on your lips: Jesus’ Body and Blood in the Lord’s Supper. This also delivers to you God’s forgiveness. You are covered with Jesus and are now perfect before God; you get to continue in the work that God has placed before you as you love and care for your neighbors. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty, everlasting God, for our many sins we justly deserve eternal condemnation. In Your mercy You sent Your dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who won for us forgiveness of sins and everlasting salvation. Grant us a true confession that, dead to sin, we may be raised up by Your life-giving Absolution. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may be ever watchful and live true and godly lives in Your service; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. (Before confession and absolution, LSB)

-Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols . This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House. 

May 26, 2024 

Today's Reading: John 3:1-17

Daily Lectionary: Numbers 35:9-30; Acts 1:1-7:60; Luke 24:28-53

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, (John 3:14)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. We can learn a lot by reading all of Holy Scripture. Now, you might be thinking, “Thanks, pastor, for the most obvious statement in the world,” but what I say is true. When we read the Scriptures, it is great to read and link both the Old Testament and the New Testament. We get a nice link by Jesus here with the story of the bronze serpent.

If you are not familiar with the story of the bronze serpent, I’ll recap it for you. The Israelites are wandering in the wilderness, and they are doing what the people of God do best, that is, unceasingly complain. They are leveling their typical charge against Moses (and thereby against God indirectly). They whine, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?” (Numbers 21:5) Not only do they accuse Moses (and again God) of trying to kill them, they then complain about what the LORD provides for them, calling that food “worthless.” And for their ungratefulness and complaining, God sends them punishment in the form of “fiery serpents” to bite them. And bite them they do, and some die. While the others are sick, Moses intervenes, and God sends a way to be saved from their sins. He instructs Moses to build a bronze serpent and put it on a pole, and anyone who looks upon it would live. 

Isn’t it interesting that this is what Jesus uses to teach Nicodemus, the man who was so “wise?” Just like there was no venom in a serpent of bronze, there is no sin in Jesus, who would be lifted up, just like the serpent, so that all who looked on him in faith would live. The words given to Nicodemus are the same words we have today. On Good Friday, we saw the Son of Man lifted for the sins of the world so that all who looked upon Him in faith might live, not saved from a mere snake bite, but from the scourge of sin and death. In church, we physically receive the flesh and blood of Christ in our mouths to save us from eternal death. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, You have given us grace to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity by the confession of a true faith and to worship the Unity in the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities; for You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, now and forever.

-Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols . This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House. 

May 25, 2024 

Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity Psalm 16:8-11; antiphon: Liturgical Text

Daily Lectionary: Numbers 32:1-6, 16-27; Luke 24:1-27

Blessèd be the Holy Trinity and the undivided Unity. Let us give glory to him because he has shown his mercy to us.

I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.

For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Trinity is a hard doctrine to understand. It really hurts your head, doesn’t it? How can God be “three in one” and “one in three?” Wouldn’t it be easier to say that the Trinity is like an egg, or like the three states of water? While this might be tempting, it’s easy to fall into error about the Trinity. Many of the common analogies for the Trinity fall into unhelpful ways of talking about it that lead people down the wrong path. But let’s see what we do know about the Trinity.

First, there is God the Father. What do we know about God the Father? Well, the name God the Father gives us a pretty good jumping-off point. One, he is God. This is the God who created the Heavens and the Earth, and created you and me. Creation is definitely His department.

Secondly, there is God the Son. This is Jesus, and His work is super easy to spot. Jesus’ work is redemptive. And this redemption happens on the cross. When Jesus took all the sins of the world on His shoulders (yes, even the ones you have never, ever told anyone about) He paid the debt with His blood. Jesus is still among us too, at altars around the world every single day in the Lord’s Supper, the Shepherd dwelling with His sheep.

Third, there is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a behind-the-scenes actor. The work of the Holy Spirit, like the Fathers is creation and the Son’s is redemption, is sanctification. That means making you holy. The Holy Spirit does this by giving you the faith you need to be saved. You received the Holy Spirit at your Baptism. The Spirit drives you to see that you need the Gifts of God, you need The Sacraments. He drives you to confess your sins and in faith receive the Absolution won by the Son. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

God the Father, light-creator,  To Thee laud and honor be.  To Thee, Light of Light begotten,
Praise be sung eternally.  Holy Spirit, light-revealer,  Glory, glory be to Thee.
Mortals, angels, now and ever  Praise the holy Trinity! (LSB 578:6)

-Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols . This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House. 

May 24, 2024

Today's Reading: Acts 2:1-21

Daily Lectionary: Numbers 27:12-23; Luke 23:26-56

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. (Acts 2:1–6)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Can you understand what’s going on in church? Maybe something is a little confusing to you, like how come we make the sign of the cross here or why do we say this prayer here (in this case, ask your pastor! He’s always happy to answer questions.) But when I ask whether you can understand what’s going on in church, I mean do the words going into your ears sound like words you can understand? Is the language the language you speak? Does your pastor preach so you can understand it? If so, thank the Holy Spirit. 

You see, God is a fan of words. That’s how He acts. He doesn’t need anything else to accomplish His purposes. In Genesis, when God created the heavens and the earth, how does He do it? He doesn’t do it like so many pagan gods do it: by defeating some enemy and making the world out of their corpse (yuck.) No, our God just speaks and it happens. Let there be light and…. There was light. Let the waters be separated…. And they were separated. This is not a power reserved for God the Father either. When Jesus rebukes demons, they must go. When Jesus commands Satan himself to depart from Him, Satan, as a creature, must bend to the will of his Creator. God’s Word is living and active, and it is all God needs to work His will.

But that Word did not stop with the early church either. That Word is still living and active today. God’s will is still done by means of the Word. By the preaching of His Word by pastors, God’s people get to know Him better. By the proclaiming of the Words of Institution, Christ’s Body and Blood are on the altar. By the words of Absolution, you are forgiven. God’s Word is living and active, in a way you can understand. Thanks be to God. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest,  And make our hearts Your place of rest;
Come with Your grace and heav’nly aid,  And fill the hearts which You have made. (LSB 498:1)

-Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols . This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House. 

May 23, 2024

Today's Reading: The Lord’s Prayer - Sixth Petition

Daily Lectionary: Numbers 24:1-25; Luke 23:1-25

And lead us not into temptation.

What does this mean? God tempts no one. We pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful nature may not deceive us or mislead us into false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice. Although we are attacked by these things, we pray that we may finally overcome them and win the victory.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Let’s be honest. You’re no stranger to temptation. You go to school, you’re tempted. Maybe you’ve seen other kids pass around something on their phones that, well, let’s just say you hope your parents never see. Go on the internet lately? It’s a temptation factory. Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, Facebook, all of them serve up hot and fresh temptation; ready rabbit holes for you to fall into. Maybe you’ve given up the internet. But your sinful flesh is able (and ready) to whip up some homegrown temptation. You can run, but you can’t hide, it seems. Temptation is everywhere, and you’ve fallen into it. And you’ve fallen into it deep. 

And so what to do? The old evil foe (that’s Satan) wants you to isolate and try to tackle it yourself. He’ll whisper to you that “you’ve got this, no need to drag anyone else into it. God doesn’t need to know, you can do this.” This, like anything else Satan says, is a lie. Satan loves for you to cut yourself off and descend into the “do it yourself” rabbit hole. It’s great for your house, but not for your soul. Sinful man needs something better than to endlessly gaze inwards. That’s how we wind up in despair, again and again. 

Christ brings the medicine of immortality. This medicine is the antidote for temptation and the sin that is sure to follow. Do not turn in on yourself, dear Christian. Turn instead to the Great Physician. Temptation is everywhere, and make no mistake, you will fall into it. But Christ brings that forgiveness. This forgiveness is the medicine for temptation, and for sin. It’s not just a theoretical forgiveness either. You can hear this forgiveness. Every Sunday, you hear the man who stands in the stead of Christ say “I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lead not into temptation, Lord,  Where our grim foe and all his horde  Would vex our souls on ev’ry hand.  Help us resist, help us to stand  Firm in the faith, a mighty host, Through comfort of the Holy Ghost. (LSB 766:7)

-Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols . This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House. 

May 22, 2024

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Daily Lectionary: Numbers 23:4-28; Luke 22:47-71

Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD.” (Ezekiel 37:11–14)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. What an image we have been given in our reflection for today. Can you imagine? Being taken to a valley, a rip in the earth, that is full of nothing but bleached, white bones. The wind hits your face and it’s hot and dry. This is a scene that should be absolutely foreign to humanity. Because this is a scene that could only occur after the Fall. People were not made to die. Man was made to live forever. It was only after the temptation and the fall into sin, when creation descended into bloodshed and murder, that such a scene was possible. And what a statement. What a scene to be confronted with as Ezekiel. So much death. So many bones you can’t accurately count them. 

God asks Ezekiel a question. “Son of man, can these bones live?” Ezekiel’s answer is a stark confession. Ezekiel’s answer is a reflection on the state of fallen humanity. Only God knows if these bones can live. Only God can make these bones live. 

Only God can make our fallen selves live. Only God can open [our] graves and raise [us] from [our] graves. And we see, like the whole house of Israel, that we shall be raised from our graves. How is this accomplished? Paul writes in Romans, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (Romans 6:3-5)

Christ dies, so will we. But Christ rises, and so will we. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

If Christ still lay within the tomb Then death would be the end, And we should face our final doom   With neither guide nor friend. But now the Savior is raised up,  So when a Christian dies
We mourn, yet look to God in hope—  In Christ the saints arise! (LSB 486:2)

-Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols . This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House. 

May 21, 2024

Today's Reading: John 10:1-10

Daily Lectionary: Numbers 22:21-23:3; Luke 22:24-46

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” (John 10:1–4)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The shepherd goes before the sheep. The sheep follow the shepherd. This has been the pattern of sheep for forever. The shepherd leads the sheep where they should go, and they follow him. What is the task of a shepherd? The shepherd, simply put, cares for the sheep. The sheep trust the shepherd. Sheep are, by nature, very dependent animals. Left to their own devices, they have a tendency to get hurt and die. Go on YouTube and just search “shepherd rescues sheep.” One of my favorite of those results is the sheep stuck in a crack in the ground, only for the shepherd to yank it out, and it promptly gets stuck again. Sheep need care. Sheep need a shepherd. Sheep need the shepherd to find food for them, to rescue them from peril, and to drive off predators from the herd. They cannot do this on their own.

Scripture makes it very clear that we are sheep. Jesus isn’t just giving a running commentary to the people on how shepherds work. The people already knew that. But rather, Jesus is telling them what God does for them. More specifically, what God incarnate (that’s Jesus Himself, for those keeping score at home), does for them. The Good Shepherd literally dies for the sheep. This, dear saints, is good news for us too. Because we have not been turned loose in this world to wander. God’s flock are not left to their own devices to get stuck in the ditches and cracks of sin and to die. We are not left to get preyed upon by Satan’s wolves. Christ is the Good Shepherd, the best there is! He rescues His sheep and uses His undershepherds (pastors!) to bind up the wounds they sustain from life in this fallen world. Thanks be to God that we have a shepherd, the best there is, our savior Jesus. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Savior, like a shepherd lead us;  Much we need Your tender care.  In Your pleasant pastures feed us,  For our use Your fold prepare.  Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,   You have bought us; we are Yours.  Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,  You have bought us; we are Yours. (LSB 711:1)

-Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols . This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House. 

May 20, 2024 

Today's Reading: John 3:16-21

Daily Lectionary: Numbers 22:1-20; Luke 22:1-23

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16–17)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. You may have heard the first of the two verses above described as “the Gospel in a nutshell.” It clearly states the “what” that God did to save the sinful fallen race of humanity, AKA you and me. But it doesn’t reveal the “why,” the reason that Jesus came and did what He did. And that second verse is critically important because it tells us not only what Jesus did, but what he came NOT to do. You see, Christianity is truly unique among world religions. In other religions, the “gods” don’t really like people. I’m not talking about in an “I don’t like people” way that you might joke about, where you like to stay on the couch and read a book rather than go out. I’m talking in more of a “we hate humanity” sense. In other religions, the gods either want to destroy humanity or enslave it, using us mortals to get food, or to play cruel games with us, or worse. 

But dear Christians, that is not the kind of God we serve. The difference (aside from the obvious, that God is the one true God) is that God loves His creation. He looked upon it in the beginning and saw that His creation was good. And when humanity fell into sin, He loved it still. He promised right after to send a Messiah to save fallen creation from sin, death, and the lies of the devil. And here in John’s Gospel, we get the picture of this Messiah: Jesus. We see that God did not send Jesus just to preach condemnation, as Jonah wanted to with the Ninevites, but to save creation. Is there sin to be condemned? Absolutely there is. Sin is ugly and it is wrong. A huge part of the Christian life is repentance for the sin that we commit daily. But our lives as Christians do not end there. It does not end with us sitting in the wreckage of our sin with a sign around our necks that says “condemned.” Christ comes in, pays for the consequences of our sins by dying and rising again, and binds up your wounds with words through your pastor, straight from the mouth of Jesus himself. “I forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” These words were spoken at your Baptism and are repeated in the Divine Service. We are truly loved by Jesus. In the name of Jesus. Amen. 

God said to His belovèd Son:  “It’s time to have compassion.  Then go, bright jewel of My crown, And bring to all salvation.  From sin and sorrow set them free;  Slay bitter death for them that they  May live with You forever.” (LSB 556:5)

-Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols . This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House. 

May 19, 2024 

Today's Reading: John 15:26-27;16:4 b-15 

Daily Lectionary: Numbers 21:10-35; Luke 21:20-38

“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.” (John 15:26–27)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Do I have to do this by myself? Do I have to do this all on my own? Am I strong enough? Have I done enough reading? Am I smart enough? 

These are all questions that flew into my mind when I first learned the faith. Study church history, or read the Acts of the Apostles, and you will know that at some point, confession is required of Christians. Now, this is not always the huge affair, where you have a sword to your neck or lions licking their chops on the sand of the coliseum. It might even be completely innocent, and not malicious at all. It could be your friend who doesn’t go to church at your lunch table asking, “Now what is it that you Christians believe about __________?” It could be your coworker at the water cooler asking why you even bother going to church every Sunday when you can read the Bible at home. Sooner or later, you must give an account. You must confess. 

And this possibility makes some of us (me included) very nervous! Think back to the questions from the beginning. Do I have to do this all by myself? Am I able to do it? These questions were probably going through the Apostle’s minds as Jesus was telling them what they must do. But there is a problem with those questions. They are all “I” questions. It’s focusing on the wrong person. The Good News that Jesus gives the Apostles is the same Good News for you: You aren’t doing it alone. You have a helper. And this helper gives you the words to say; He gives you the answers to the test. 

And who is this helper? Is it some angel that only you can see holding up a sign with the words to say? No, but that might be pretty cool sometimes. But this helper is even better. This helper is the Holy Spirit. And that test, that moment of confession when words are required, won’t be the first time that He has rolled onto the scene in your life. 

Because this is the same Holy Spirit given at your Baptism. It’s the same Holy Spirit that leads you to confess your sins every week. It’s the same Holy Spirit that leads you to receive the Sacrament of the Altar in faith. 

Are you able to do it on your own? No, but you don’t have to. You have a helper. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

O God, on this day You once taught the hearts of Your faithful people by sending them the light of Your Holy Spirit. Grant us in our day by the same Spirit to have a right understanding in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy consolation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols . This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House.